Podcasts

Doug Merlino on Mixed Martial Arts

Blood, Sweat, and Dreams at the Heart of Mixed Martial Arts, America’s
Fastest Growing and Most-derided sport

Most fans who follow pro-football, horse-racing, and hockey hate Mixed Martial Arts because it’s ‘too violent’. Even Sen. John McCain called it “human cockfighting.” So why is it America’s fastest growing sport? Why are gyms sprouting up all over the country to teach it? Ira’s guest is Doug Merlino, author of the new book BEAST, who imbedded himself in the life of four MMA athletes, explains that it’s a highly skilled combat sport with roots that date back to ancient Greece, that it not only includes a mixture of Asian and European fighting styles, but it may well be the one modern sport that reflects our anxieties in a post nine-eleven world.